TYME OUT Blogs!

Look what auction items await our friends
at
CELEBRATE SpringTYME
May 1, 2009

If you haven’t reserved your spot, do so now.  If you can’t make it and are interested in bidding on any of the many items, please call
Kathy Wisnefski, Director of Development at 262.966.1800

1.  A NIGHT AT THE COUNTRY SPRINGS HOTEL AND WATERPARK
This certificate is good for an overnight stay in a deluxe room at the Country Springs  in  Pewaukee and includes four (4) water park passes. Click on the link for more information about Country Springs www.countryspringshotel.com/
Donor:   Nancy Richards 
Value:   $180.00

2.  HARLEY RIDE

Imagine the warm wind in your hair as you are driven through the Wisconsin countryside. An afternoon ride (Approx. three (3) hours) with Norb Schlidt.
Donor:  Norb Schlidt
Value: Priceless!

3.  TWELVE (12) DOZEN FANCY BUTTERY AND DELICATE CHRISTMAS COOKIES AND BARS
This entitles the winner to twelve (12) dozen fancy, delicate and buttery cookies and bars. There are 17 types of treats from which you may choose.
Donor:  Ronan and Diane James
Value:  $350.00

4.  TYME OUT INTERNS WORK TEAM
This team of three (3) strong, young people will work four (4) hours (total 12+)
at any household or yard, chores that you choose. Clean the yard? The garage? The attic? This is the deal for your sore back!
Donor:  The TYME OUT interns
Value:  Priceless!

5.   FLIGHT OVER THE LAKE COUNTRY
Tim Tyre, flight instructor for Spring City Aviation, invites you to enjoy a Flight over the Lake Country at a mutually agreeable time. This 2-hour opportunity offers a 1-hour flight and a 1- hour flight lesson.  For ‘would-be’ pilots, this constitutes ‘loggable’ flight instruction.
Donor:  Tim Tyre
Value:  Priceless!

6.  A BIBLICAL FEAST IN GREENDALE WITH JIM GILL
Enjoy an ‘alfresco’ feast of foods of the Bible for four (4) in historic Greendale.
Donor:  Jim Gill
Value:  $150.00

7.   WALT DISNEY PARK PASSES 
Bid on four (4) One-Day Park Hopper passes. Experience a magical experience in the happiest place in the world. Passes expire 4/3/2011
Donor:  Walt Disney World
Value:  $500.00

8.  RELAX IN BEAUTIFUL LAKE HOME ON 200 ACRE PIKE LAKE NEAR  WAUSAU: 3 NIGHT STAY ~  SANDY BEACH ~ CANOE ~ Sleeps 9-11
Donor:  Joe and Katy Schlidt
Value:  $555.00

9.  CHRISTIE CLUB CONDO – STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO
Spend a fabulous week (Saturday to Saturday) golfing, hiking and enjoying the mountains in Steamboat Springs. This luxury three (3) bedroom, three (3) bath condo is available from May 23th thru October 8th, 2009. Subject to availability.
Donor:  Larry and Theresa Schmidt
Value:  $5,000.00

10.  CRUISE LAC LA BELLE IN KEY WEST STYLE for 6 PEOPLE!
A summer sunset pontoon ride a la the Conch Republic. Hors oeuvres’ from Louie’s Backyard cookbook (The best restaurant on the island). Mojitos savored while you listen to ‘Amazing Grace’ as the sun sinks over the horizon. (Mallory Square bagpipe tradition). An added bonus for history buffs: Oration of the old mail boat route of Lac La Belle. 
Donor:  Jim and Kathy Wisnefski
Value:  Cheaper than an actual visit to their favorite vacation spot!

11.  MUSIC BY BEN AND LIZ
TYME OUT Director Ben Brzeski and his wife, Liz, will perform acoustic popular music and/or inspirational music. Two (2) hours of music for your garden party, reunion, wedding or whatever occasions you can think of.
Donor:  Ben and Liz Brzeski
Value: $400.00

12.  BIBLE SIGNED BY ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY DOLAN
Beautiful family heirloom bible with inscription by former Archbishop Timothy Dolan
Donor:  Robert and Jean Schlidt
Value:  Priceless!

13.  CHEF FR. CHUCK BEIERWALTES COOKS DINNER FOR FOUR (4) IN YOUR HOME
Donor:  Fr. Chuck
Value:  Priceless!

14.   ENJOY A RELAXING WEEK ON THE BEAUTIFUL BEACH OF BONITA SPRINGS, FLORIDA

You will enjoy million dollar views of the gulf from the 8th floor of this beach front well appointed 2 bedroom, 2 bath private retreat for 4 at Windsong. 
Heated pool.  May 19 – September  2009 or 2010.  Subject to availability. Cleaning included.  Click on link for more pictures http://www.waterstoneresorts.com/pphotogallery/WD801?WD801.htm
Donor:  Richard and Joanne Glaser
Value:  $840.00

I have to be honest here…I sat down to write this entry for the blog and I had absolutely no idea what to write about!  I hosted a retreat group last weekend, so I did not have any great stories to share from that.  My own life is too crazy and busy right now to even begin sharing any of my own experiences…next week, I will have had a weekend retreat to direct and might have a story, but I won’t have time to write about it!  So here I was, wondering what would be different and worth sharing.  I remembered that I have some “random files” saved in my folder on the computer.  It holds things like prayers, reflections, and anything else that I thought at one point might be useful or meaningful.  So there I went.  I rediscovered the following story and found some meaning in it for our world and lives today.  With the uncertainty and challenges that all of us are facing, I believe that it reminds us to think of the bigger picture and how what we are learning now will really be of benefit in the future in some way.  God has a plan even though it may take “forever” to appear.  Trust is difficult—I know that well from my own experiences in the past year…and yet, when we are able to do so, the beauty that may then emerge is amazing.  (I am not sure about an author of this story.  I believe that I received it through email from a friend.)

“One day I decided to quit…I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality…I wanted to quit my life.  I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.  “God,” I asked, “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?”

His answer surprised me…”Look around,” He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?”   “Yes,” I replied.  “When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.   I gave them light.   I gave them water.  The fern quickly grew from the earth.  Its brilliant green covered the floor.  Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year, the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.  And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.  In year three, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.   But I would not quit.  In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit,” He said.  “Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant…But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.” He asked me: “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?  I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.”

“Don’t compare yourself to others,” He said. “The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern.   Yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come,” God said to me.   “You will rise high.” “How high should I rise?” I asked. “How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return. “As high as it can?” I questioned. “Yes,” He said, “Give Me glory by rising as high as you can.”

I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. Never, never, never give up. For the Christian, prayer is not an option but an opportunity. Don’t tell the Lord how big the problem is; tell the problem how Great the Lord is!”

Beth

Imagine a warm summer night, kids sitting around a campfire singing “We’re going on a lion hunt. We’re going on a lion hunt.  Gonna catch a big lion!  Gonna catch a big lion!”  That image has been popping into my head these last couple days.  Not just because the weather has been so crummy but because the American Camp Association (ACA) Mid-states Conference has come and gone which means summer is right around the corner.  I just spent 2 ½ days surrounded by camp people at this conference. It was energizing, fulfilling, and informative.  I gained information about how to train teens to become good, strong leaders, how to handle difficult situations if they arise, and of course new games and songs!  This conference is a great way to kick-off the camp season. It’s a great way to network and see what other camps are doing to make their camps a success.  You get to share your excitement and love of camp with other camp staff.  Plus, the conference is a great way to get some free items. : ) 

With the conference now under my belt it is time to switch gears from planning retreats to planning some of the camps I will be directing this summer.  I’ve got some fun new ideas for our Leaders-in-Training Camp, and I’m working with Marc on our Young Catholic Stewards Camp.  Here is my little promo for our camps – So if you know anyone interested in either camps have them contact Nick, our camp director, at nick@tymeout.org or 262-966-1800.  Hope to see some new faces this summer at camp!